Liyuetan Reservoir water levels surge to 70% capacity after drought

The Liyuetan Reservoir, a vital water source for central Taiwan, has seen a dramatic recovery in its water levels, surpassing 80 million tons and reaching 70% capacity. This significant replenishment comes after the reservoir experienced critically low levels earlier in the year, dropping to a low of just 25% in early April.

The recent turnaround is attributed to consistent rainfall over the past ten days, driven by the passage of plum rain fronts. This sustained precipitation has allowed the reservoir's water storage to increase by 1.71 million tons daily, pushing the total storage to 80.77 million tons as of Friday morning. This marks a substantial increase of over 50 million tons from its lowest point.

Last year, the reservoir was at full capacity by mid-April. However, a dry spell this year led to significantly reduced water levels, impacting supplies for苗栗 (Miaoli), 台中 (Taichung), and 彰化 (Changhua) counties for both domestic and agricultural use. While rainfall around the Qingming Festival provided some initial relief, it was the recent extended period of rain that truly boosted the reserves.

Despite the current positive trend, the water level is still 8.9 meters below the full reservoir mark. The reservoir management center has been providing daily updates, highlighting the ongoing efforts to restore water security for the region. The recovery offers much-needed relief to the areas dependent on Liyuetan Reservoir.